Aiden floated in darkness.Cold. Silent. Endless.There was no sound except for the faint rhythm of his heartbeat. He couldn’t feel his body—just a weightless drift through the void. His mind hovered on the edge of awareness, but no matter how hard he tried to open his eyes, the darkness held him fast."Do you seek revenge?"The voice slid through his mind again—deep and cold, laced with something primal. Something ancient."Do you seek power?"Aiden’s breath hitched. He tried to speak, but his mouth wouldn’t move. His body was gone—nothing but an echo of himself, drifting. He forced his mind to sharpen, to seize the threads of memory.Fire. Pain. Valeria’s face. His father’s silence.And then… death.He should have been dead."Where am I?" Aiden's voice finally emerged—raw, strained."You are between worlds."The voice resonated, low and smooth. It was neither male nor female—a hollow echo vibrating in the depths of his mind."Your body was destroyed. Your soul remains."Aiden's eyes

Aiden moved through the dark tunnel, his bare feet silent against the cold stone floor. The low hum of power beneath his skin hadn't faded—it vibrated in his bones, a quiet pulse beneath each step. Red light flickered across his fingertips as he flexed his hand, still adjusting to the strange weight of strength coursing through his veins.The stone walls pulsed faintly with crimson light, the ancient draconic runes responding to his presence. His enhanced senses sharpened every detail—the scent of sulfur in the air, the distant drip of water, the thin tension of heat shifting through the cracks in the rock.The path ahead opened into a larger cavern. Jagged stone columns stretched toward a distant ceiling lost in shadow. Pools of molten rock simmered between the uneven floor, casting flickering red light against the cavern walls.And beyond the nearest pool of magma—Another creature.It crouched low, half-hidden beneath a jagged overhang of stone. Its dark scales shimmered with a fai

Aiden stood at the edge of a sheer cliff, overlooking the sprawling city of Velkor below. The cool night air brushed against his skin, stirring the loose folds of his dark cloak. His enhanced vision sharpened beneath the pale silver glow of the moon, tracing the distant towers and winding streets that stretched toward the horizon.Velkor—the capital city of the Drakorian Empire—was alive even at this late hour. The flicker of torchlight lined the narrow streets, and the soft hum of magical energy pulsed faintly beneath the cobblestones. From this height, the city resembled a beast sleeping beneath a starless sky—dark and restless, waiting to be stirred.Aiden’s gaze narrowed. He could see the Dawnspire estate nestled within the heart of the noble district. The high black walls of the compound shimmered with defensive wards—protective glyphs carved into the stone, pulsing faintly with golden light.The Dawnspires were one of the oldest noble houses in the empire. Valeria’s family had b

Aiden stood on the rooftop overlooking the Dawnspire estate. The cool night breeze stirred the loose folds of his cloak as he watched the last flicker of torchlight fade from the stone courtyard below. His enhanced senses sharpened beneath the silver glow of the moon, tracking the subtle movements of the guards stationed along the perimeter wall.He could still feel the warmth of Kellan’s blood on his fingertips. His claws had faded beneath his skin, but the lingering heat of the Dragon Code pulsed faintly beneath his veins. His strength had increased. His awareness had expanded."Target identified," the system’s voice whispered through his mind. "Valeria Dawnspire’s carriage is scheduled to depart at dawn."Aiden’s mouth curled faintly. "Not if I get there first."The rooftops stretched out before him—dark spires and slanted tiles forming a jagged network of escape routes. Aiden’s gaze narrowed toward the far side of the estate, where a pair of large iron gates barred the exit road.

Aiden stalked through the darkened streets of Velkor, his steps silent against the slick cobblestones. His breath fogged faintly in the chill night air as the sharp scent of rain clung to the stone walls of the narrow alleyway. His cloak trailed behind him, the crimson light beneath his skin fading as his heartbeat steadied.Nathaniel had slipped through his grasp.But it didn’t matter. He was already stronger than he had been hours ago. His claws pulsed faintly beneath his fingertips as the Dragon Code’s lingering warmth coiled beneath his skin. His body was adjusting to the influx of power—each kill making him sharper, faster, more aware."Progression accelerating," the system’s voice whispered beneath his thoughts. "Host stability improving."Aiden’s mouth curled faintly. "Good."He slipped deeper into the alleyway. His enhanced hearing stretched toward the edges of the city—the distant sound of horses’ hooves against the wet streets, the low hum of conversation spilling from the n